POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF RHYNCHOSIA RUFESCENS (WILLD.) DC. (FABACEAE), A PERENNIAL TRAILING SUB-SHRUB IN THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Authors

  • A.J. Solomon Raju Andhra University
  • K. Venkata Ramana Andhra University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4462/annbotrm-14121

Keywords:

Rhynchosia rufescens, hermaphroditism, explosive pollination mechanism, melittophily, explosive pod dehiscence

Abstract

Rhynchosia rufescens is a perennial trailing sub-shrub.  It flowers during September-February. The flowers are hermaphroditic, self-compatible and have explosive pollination mechanism principally adapted for melittophily. The plant is facultative xenogamous but autogamy essentially requires vectors. Pods dehisce explosively to disperse seeds. Re-growth from root stock and propagation by seed together contribute to build up its populations in soils with sufficient moisture and nutrients. 


Author Biographies

A.J. Solomon Raju, Andhra University

Dr. Aluri Jacob Solomon Raju is a Professor of Environmental Sciences in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. He was the Head of the Department during 2009-2012. He is currently the Chairman, Board of Studies of the Department. Further, he is a member of Academic Senate of the Andhra University. He was the Visiting Professor of University of Colima, Mexico. He was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Akron, USA for a period of two years. He has published more than 300 research papers, participated and presented scores of research papers at more than 75 national and more than 50 International conferences held in India and abroad.  He visited USA, Canada, UK, Brazil, Paraguay, Italy, Mexico, France, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Tanzania. In recognition of his superior record of scholarship, he was awarded Distinguished Achievement Award by the University of Akron, USA. He is also the recipient of Best Research Award and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Best Academician Award of Andhra University, Loyola Environmental Award from Loyola College, Chennai and Andhra Pradesh Scientist Award from Andhra Pradesh Council of Science & Technology, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. He successfully completed a number of major research projects on the Eastern Ghats Forests funded by ICAR, UGC, DST, CSIR, DBT and MoEF. He has been awarded UGC-BSR Grant for distinguished achievements in his research field. He has also worked on biodiesel plants such as Pongamia and Jatropha and work on these plants laid foundation for others to initiate work in commercial lines.  He has also published ten books on various subjects published by national and international publishers. Twenty five Ph.Ds and 10 M.Phils were awarded under his guidance. Further, he is currently serving as a resource person for All India Radio, TV Channels, Consultant for issues relating to environment. Further, he is currently operating a DST Project on the reproductive biology keystone plant species. He is an expert-cum-reviewer for scores of scientific journals published by Elsevier, Springer publishers, Indian Publishers, US Publishers and African Publishers. He is the Chief Editor of Advances in Pollen-Spore Research and Journal of Palynology. He is the Expert member of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India in sanctioning the research projects.  

K. Venkata Ramana, Andhra University

Dr. K. Venkata Ramana is currently working as DST SERB Young Scientist in the Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.  He has published more than twenty papers in international and national journals.  

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Published

2018-04-24

How to Cite

Solomon Raju, A., & Venkata Ramana, K. (2018). POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF RHYNCHOSIA RUFESCENS (WILLD.) DC. (FABACEAE), A PERENNIAL TRAILING SUB-SHRUB IN THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA. Annali Di Botanica, 8, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4462/annbotrm-14121

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Section

Research Articles

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